There was a street festival vibe to many Pasifika-organised Vaxathon events around the country today.
Langimalie Supervax Event in Onehunga, Auckland run by the Tongan Health Society. The society's CEO Dr Glenn Doherty (middle) says they're giving 100 doses per hour. Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen
Thousands of Pacific people have taken the chance to be vaccinated against Covid-19 - with organisers going out of their way to make many events as much fun as possible.
In Onehunga at the Langimalie Supervax Event long queues of cars held occupants waited to be vaccinated, while outside people danced in the streets, waving Tongan flags, and brightening the mood of all those around them.
At the Langimalie Supervax Event in Onehunga, organised by the Tongan Health Society. Photo: Coconet TV / Penina Momoiseā
At the Langimalie Supervax Event in Onehunga, organised by the Tongan Health Society Photo: Coconet TV / Penina Momoiseā
Dancing in the street at the Langimalie Supervax Event in Onehunga. Photo: Coconet TV / Penina Momoiseā
The Tongan Health Society chief executive, Dr Glenn Doherty, said they were giving 100 vaccine doses per hour at the event.
Wowee are we getting vaxx’d or is this a street party? Either way it’s
— The Coconet (@TheCoconetTV) October 15, 2021
Langimalie Vaxx Drive Thru, 1 Fleming St in Onehunga open until 5pm today pic.twitter.com/hYkbdHNbfd
Music, dancing and the waving of flags at the Tongan Health Society (Langimalie Health Centre) in Fleming Street, Onehunga.
— RNZ (@radionz) October 15, 2021
Super Saturday Vaxathon live updates here https://t.co/3N2hVz7o44 pic.twitter.com/HO7d2Z2mKg
In Ōtara, while the vibe was more chill, long lines still snaked slowly around the MIT carpark as large numbers waited for their doses.
The drive-thru at the MIT campus in Ōtara for Super Saturday Vaxathon.
— RNZ Pacific (@RNZPacific) October 15, 2021
https://t.co/FkGzexLkmj pic.twitter.com/4sET2i9Cqp
Lines of cars stretch out at the MIT carpark in Ōtara for the Super Saturday vaccination event Photo: Coconet TV / Penina Momoiseā
A big response from the community in Ōtara to the Super Saturday vaccination event Photo: Coconet TV / Penina Momoiseā
The Samoan flags were waving at the Super Saturday vaccination event at the Browns Road netball courts in Manurewa, with those turning up getting a dose of Siva Samoa with their vaccine.
A man waving a Samoan flag and blue face covering dances at the Browns Road netball courts in Manurewa. Photo: Coconet TV / Penina Momoiseā
One of many Samoan flags waved at Manurewa Super Saturday event Photo: Coconet TV / Penina Momoiseā
The Samoan community there gave out food parcels, sanitary products and petrol vouchers.
REWA ... are going hard at the Browns Road netball courts.
— The Coconet (@TheCoconetTV) October 16, 2021
The Samoan community there are giving out food parcels, sanitary products, petrol vouchers with a dose of Siva Samoa cheehooooo!
Vaxathon #SuperSaturday pic.twitter.com/ADeYhMnhEb
We've found the flags at the Super Saturday vaccination event at Browns Road netball courts in Manurewa.
— RNZ Pacific (@RNZPacific) October 16, 2021
https://t.co/FkGzexLkmj pic.twitter.com/I1K2XYrpCL
In Māngere, at the LDS church on Robertson Road, it was all about Kuki Airani culture.
MANGERE
— The Coconet (@TheCoconetTV) October 16, 2021
The Kuki Airani community are putting on for their city today - no long lines here! Just happy Mamas with prettiful ei katu.
Head down to the LDS church on Robertson Rd (Favona end)
We’re loving all the Pasifika flavours of Aukilagi today pic.twitter.com/W5yAMwnesm
Kuki Airani culture in Māngere at the LDS church on Robertson Road.
— RNZ Pacific (@RNZPacific) October 16, 2021
No lines there either if you're looking to go through quickly
More #SuperSaturday live updates here: https://t.co/FkGzexLkmj pic.twitter.com/fxhGzKpvwT
Welcome to the Cook Islands Vaccination Drive-Thru Photo: Coconet TV / Penina Momoiseā
Entertainment at the Cook Islands Māngere Vaccination Drive Thru. Photo: Coconet TV / Penina Momoiseā
The 'Do it 4 the East' youth-led vaccination event in East Porirua's Cannons Creek featured live music and performances, raffles, food and basketball.
Cultural performances at Cannons Creek in East Porirua Photo: Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor
Delicious food on offer at Cannons Creek Super Saturday event Photo: Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor
Cannons Creek Super Saturday Photo: Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor
It was there that crowds got to watch the Director General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, spread his legs to the much loved Roimata.
I don’t care, this is the greatest thing ever - Dr Ashley Bloomfield dancing to Roimata down in Cannons Creek #SuperSaturday
— Elijah Fa'afiu (@EliFaafiu3) October 16, 2021
: @BarbEdmondsMana FB Live pic.twitter.com/W6kN2JozTG
When Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern asked people who they got vaccinated for, they replied "The East!"
At the Pacific Covid-19 vaccination event in Porirua's Cannons Creek.
— RNZ Pacific (@RNZPacific) October 15, 2021
by @Mtuilaepataylor
Super Saturday Vaxathon live updates here: https://t.co/nGre9WAz16 pic.twitter.com/Z25fAtE8Ii
Over 100 people have been vaccinated so far today at Cannons Creek, East Porirua.
— RNZ Pacific (@RNZPacific) October 15, 2021
Live music, raffles, food, basketball and vaccinations have drawn large crowds from the community.
Super Saturday live updates here: https://t.co/FkGzexLkmj
@Mtuilaepataylor pic.twitter.com/RLxZxfH7Ou
In the South Island, members of the Nelson Tasman Pasifika Community Trust were at the whānau day at Nelson Intermediate School.
Around 100 people there had received the Covid-19 jab by midday.
Nelson Tasman Pasifika Community Trust chair Sonny Alesana said reaching out on social media is helping to boost the number of Pasifika vaccinated in the top of the South Island.
*Additional reporting by Penina Momoiseā from The Coconet TV.
